Battery pack, holster, and extendible processing and interface platform for mobile devices

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of this disclosure relate to battery packs and/or holsters and, more particular, to an external battery pack and/or holster for mobile electronic devices.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/938,351, titled BATTERY PACK, HOLSTER, AND EXTENDIBLE PROCESSING AND INTERFACE PLATFORM FOR MOBILE DEVICES, filed on Nov 2, 2010, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/357,262, titled BATTERY PACK, HOLSTER, AND EXTENDIBLE PROCESSING AND INTERFACE PLATFORM FOR MOBILE DEVICES, filed on Jan. 21, 2009, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/021,897, titled BATTERY PACK AND HOLSTER FOR MOBILE DEVICES, and filed Jan. 18, 2008, the disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD

One embodiment relates to battery packs and/or holsters and, more particular, to an external battery pack and/or holster for mobile electronic devices.

BACKGROUND

Many mobile devices (e.g., mobile phones, digital assistants, mobile communication devices, handheld computing devices, personal music/video/content players and storage devices) are often powered by battery power sources. Such battery power sources are often housed within the mobile device and may be changed and/or recharged as needed. However, as more powerful mobile devices are designed, these tend to consume power more quickly, thereby shortening the time between charges. This tends to limit the usefulness of the mobile device since the user must find a power source to recharge the battery source and wait until it is recharged.

Additionally, after a certain number of recharges, a battery source may need to be replaced as it may no longer hold a charge. Oftentimes, it is not easy to replace a battery source as the mobile device may need to be disassembled or opened to reach the battery source.

Therefore, a way is needed to extend the time between charges of mobile devices and/or continue to power the mobile device even after an internal power source has been depleted.

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to battery packs and/or holsters and, more particular, to an external battery pack and/or holster for mobile electronic devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate one example of a battery pack for a mobile device.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate an embodiment of a mobile device holster.

FIGS. 10-13 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a battery pack.

FIGS. 14-18 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a battery pack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the invention.

Various embodiments provide battery packs shaped to conform to the external shape of a mobile device, thereby providing a permanent replacement power source without significantly affecting the size and usability of the mobile device.

First Embodiment

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate one example of a battery pack for a mobile device. FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of the battery pack 102 includes a back plane 104, first and second sides 106 and 108, and a bottom side 112. The back plane 104, first and second sides 106 and bottom side 112 may be shaped to form a pocket into which a mobile device to be powered can slide. A top portion 114 of the battery pack 102 may remain open to allow insertion and removal of the mobile device. A device interface 110 may be positioned along the bottom side 112 to couple with the mobile device. The device interface 110 may serve for the battery pack 102 to provide power to the mobile device. The battery pack may be detached from the mobile device to be recharged. In some examples, a user may have two battery packs so that when one is being charged, the other can be powering the mobile device.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the battery pack 102. The first and second sides 106 and 108 may extend the whole length or a partial length of the battery pack 102. The sides and ends 202 and 204 of the battery pack 102 may be rounded to provide an ergonomic shape. Additionally, internal rechargeable battery cells may be housed within the thickness of the back plane 104. The internal rechargeable battery cells may be coupled to the device interface 110 to provide power to the mobile device.

FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of the battery pack 102. The size or dimensions of the back plane 104 may be approximately that of the mobile device to which it is intended to provide power. Additionally, a plurality of LEDs 302 may be mounted on the back surface to indicate the charge status of the internal battery cells of the battery pack 102.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate two different side views of how one type of mobile device 402 (i.e., an iPhone™ by Apple Inc.) may be mounted or coupled to the battery pack 102. The mobile device 402 may slide into the battery pack 102 and may be held in place or attached by the first and second sides 106 and 108 and/or device interface 110.

Second Embodiment

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a mobile device holster. The holster 602 may include a back plane 604, a first and second sides 606 and 608, a bottom side 610, and an upper flange 612 which define a cavity 614 for housing a mobile device. An opening 616 may be defined between the upper flange 612 and the back plane 604. The upper flange 612 may flex (as denoted in FIG. 8) to allow the mobile device to be inserted through the opening 616 to insert the mobile device. Similarly, the upper flange 612 may flex back to allow the mobile device to be removed. The upper flange 612 and first and second sides 606 and 608 may be shaped to retain the mobile device when inserted into the holster 602. In one example, the holster 602 may include one or more interfaces that couple to the mobile device when the mobile device is housed within the holster. The interface act as a bridge to allow the mobile device to couple to an external device. For instance, the holster 602 may be adapted to be coupled to an external battery pack to provide power to the mobile device.

In an alternative embodiment, the holster 602 may also include one or more rechargeable battery cells within the thickness of the back plane 604 that can power the mobile device via a device interface. FIG. 9 illustrates one example of a back view of the holster 612. An opening 902 may be formed on the back plane 604 to allow access to a reset or power button on the mobile device.

Third Embodiment

FIGS. 10-13 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a battery pack. The battery pack 1002 may include a back plane 1004, a first and second sides 1006 and 1008, a bottom side 1010, and an upper side 1012 which define a cavity 1004 for housing a mobile device. Additionally, the battery pack 1002 may include a first device interface 1014 and a second device interface 1016 (e.g., power connector, audio signals, control signal, data signals, etc.). In one embodiment, the second device interface 1016 may serve to provide power from one or more internal power cells (housed within the thickness of the back plane 1004). The internal power cells may be recharged via a third interface 1018 on the battery pack 1002. As illustrated in FIG. 11B, a mobile device 1102 may be inserted and housed by the battery pack 1002.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate how the battery pack 1002 may be adapted to allow the mobile device 1102 to be inserted or removed. An upper portion 1204 may be movably separated from a lower portion 1202 of the battery pack 1002. The upper portion 1204 may slide on guides 1208 on both sides to create a space which allows the mobile device 1102 to detach from the interfaces 1014 and/or 1016. Once detached, the mobile device may be removed. Similarly, the space created by the upper portion 1204 sliding away from the bottom portion 1202 allows the mobile device to be inserted into the battery pack 1002.

The guides 1208 may also act as a stopper to prevent the upper portion 1204 from completely separating from the bottom portion 1202 once a separation limit is reached. Similarly, the guides 1208 may also include locking tabs that secure or couple the upper portion 1204 and lower portion 1202 together when they are in a closed position.

Fourth Embodiment

FIGS. 14-18 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a battery pack. The battery pack 1402 may include a back plane 1404, a first and second sides 1406 and 1408, a bottom side 1410, and an upper side 1412 which define a cavity 1404 for housing a mobile device 1426. Additionally, the battery pack 1402 may include a first device interface 1414 and a second device interface 1416 (e.g., power connector, audio signals, control signal, data signals, etc.). In one embodiment, the second device interface 1416 may serve to provide power from one or more internal power cells (housed within the thickness of the back plane 1404). The internal power cells may be recharged via a third interface 1418 on the battery pack 1402. As illustrated in FIG. 14B, a mobile device 1426 may be inserted and housed by the battery pack 1402.

FIGS. 16, 17, and 18 illustrate how the battery pack 1402 may be adapted to allow the mobile device 1426 to be inserted or removed. An upper portion 1502 may be movably separated from a lower portion 1506 of the battery pack 1402. The upper portion 1502 may slide on guides 1504 on both sides to create a space which allows the mobile device 1426 to detach from the interfaces 1414 and/or 1416. Once detached, the mobile device 1426 may be removed. Similarly, the space created by the upper portion 1502 sliding away from the bottom portion 1506 allows the mobile device to be inserted into the battery pack 1402.

To make it easier to insert and/or remove the mobile device 1426 from the battery pack 1402, the guides 1504 may include hinge points that allow the upper portion 1502 to fold relative to the bottom portion 1506, thereby allowing the mobile device 1426 to be removed or inserted with greater ease.

Speakers & Microphone

Another feature may provide for one or more speakers to be included as part of the battery packs or holster (illustrated in FIGS. 1-18). For instance a low-profile speaker may be housed within the back plane of a battery pack so that the sound may be emitted from the rear or sides of the battery pack. When a mobile device is inserted and coupled to the battery pack, it couples to an interface that electrically connects the speaker to the mobile device. The mobile device may send audio or sound signals to the speaker via an interface with the battery pack. This allows a user to listen to audio stored in the mobile device without the need for headphones.

Similarly, another feature may provide for one or more microphones to be included as part of the battery packs (illustrated in FIGS. 1-18). One or more microphones may be housed within the battery pack (e.g., back plane) so that they may capture sound from a user. The microphone may be electrically coupled to an interface that allows sending captured audio signals to a mobile device that may be coupled to the battery pack.

Additional Features

In some embodiments the back plane of the battery packs and/or holster of FIGS. 1-18 may house additional devices.

For example, the rear of the back plane may house an additional display screen extend the screen on the mobile device. The additional display screen may be electrically coupled to the mobile device (via an interface) to allow the mobile device to send images or video to the additional display screen.

In another example, the rear of the back plane may house a Braille input and/or output interface that electrically coupled a mobile device mounted within the holster or battery pack.

In yet another embodiment, the rear of the back plane may provide a keypad that serves as an input to the mobile device.

According to another feature, the battery pack and/or holster may provide an external interface (e.g., Bluetooth wireless interface, USB port, infrared port, etc.) that may allow the mobile device mounted in the battery pack and/or holster to communicate via that external interface. Thus the external interface may provide a different wireless interface than provided or supported by the internal system of the mobile device.

One or more of the features illustrated in FIGS. 1-18 may be rearranged and/or combined into a single component or embodied in several components. Additional components may also be added without departing from the invention.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art. 

The following is claimed:
 1. A battery case for a mobile electronic device, the battery case comprising: a lower portion comprising: a back wall configured to extend across at least a portion of a back side of a mobile electronic device; a battery housed within a thickness of the back wall; a lower right side wall configured to extend along a lower right side of the mobile electronic device; a lower left side wall configured to extend along a lower left side of the mobile electronic device; a bottom wall configured to extend along a bottom of the mobile electronic device; a device interface extending upward from the bottom wall, the device interface configured to engage a corresponding interface on the mobile electronic device, wherein the battery is coupled to the device interface to provide electrical power to the mobile electronic device through the device interface, and wherein the device interface is configured to permit transfer of data to or from the mobile electronic device; an external interface configured to recharge the battery, wherein the external interface is configured to enable the mobile electronic device to communicate with an external device; and a charge indicator configured to indicate the charge status of the battery; and an upper portion that is configured to be movably separated from the lower portion to facilitate insertion of the mobile electronic device into the battery case, the upper portion comprising: a top wall configured to extend along a top of the mobile electronic device; an upper right side wall configured to extend along an upper right side of the mobile electronic device; and an upper left side wall configured to extend along an upper left side of the mobile electronic device; wherein the upper portion and the lower portion are configured to slide together to a closed position to form a cavity for housing the mobile electronic device, and wherein a front opening of the battery case is configured such that a display of the mobile electronic device is visible through the front opening.
 2. The battery case of claim 1, wherein the charge indicator comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs).
 3. The battery case of claim 1, wherein the charge indicator is disposed on a back side of the back wall.
 4. The battery case of claim 1, wherein the external interface is on a bottom side of the bottom wall.
 5. The battery case of claim 1, wherein the external interface comprises a USB port.
 6. The battery case of claim 1, wherein the external interface comprises a wireless interface.
 7. The battery case of claim 1, wherein the battery case is configured to receive a mobile phone.
 8. The battery case of claim 7, wherein the battery case is shaped to conform to the external shape of the mobile phone without significantly affecting the size and usability of the mobile phone.
 9. The battery case of claim 1, further comprising a stopper configured to prevent the upper portion from completely separating from the lower portion.
 10. The battery case of claim 1, wherein an opening in the battery case is configured to provide access to a button on the mobile electronic device.
 11. A battery case for a mobile electronic device, the battery case comprising: a first portion comprising: a back wall configured to extend across at least a portion of a back side of a mobile electronic device; a battery housed within a thickness of the back wall; a bottom wall configured to extend along a bottom of the mobile electronic device; a device interface extending upward from the bottom wall, the device interface configured to engage a corresponding interface on the mobile electronic device, wherein the battery is coupled to the device interface to provide electrical power to the mobile electronic device through the device interface, and wherein the device interface is configured to permit transfer of data to or from the mobile electronic device; an external interface configured to recharge the battery, wherein the external interface is configured to enable the mobile electronic device to communicate with an external device; and a charge indicator configured to indicate the charge status of the battery; and a second portion configured to engage the first portion in a closed position and configured to be movably separated from the first portion in an open position, wherein the closed position forms a cavity for housing the mobile electronic device, wherein a front opening of the battery case is configured such that a display of the mobile electronic device is visible through the front opening in the closed position, and wherein the open position is configured to facilitate insertion of the mobile electronic device into the battery case, the second portion comprising: a top wall configured to extend along a top of the mobile electronic device; a right side wall configured to extend along a right side of the mobile electronic device; and a left side wall configured to extend along a left side of the mobile electronic device.
 12. The battery case of claim 11, wherein the charge indicator comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs).
 13. The battery case of claim 11, wherein the charge indicator is disposed on a back side of the back wall.
 14. The battery case of claim 11, wherein the external interface is on a bottom side of the bottom wall.
 15. The battery case of claim 11, wherein the external interface comprises a USB port.
 16. The battery case of claim 11, wherein the external interface comprises a wireless interface.
 17. The battery case of claim 11, wherein the battery case is configured to receive a mobile phone.
 18. The battery case of claim 17, wherein the battery case is shaped to conform to the external shape of the mobile phone without significantly affecting the size and usability of the mobile phone.
 19. The battery case of claim 11, wherein an opening in the battery case is configured to provide access to a button on the mobile electronic device.
 20. The battery case of claim 11, wherein the first portion comprises a lower portion and wherein the second portion comprises an upper portion. 